If the Cowboys play smart, New England can’t win
October 13th, 2007 7:10 am
by
Big Dog
2 Comments »
Last Monday the Dallas Cowboys and QB Tony Romo gave their fans a scare as they nearly fell to the Buffalo Bills. In an amazing comeback that included rookie K Nick Folk entering Dallas folklore by kicking the winning goal twice, the Cowboys proved that they have the determination and drive to win no matter where they’re at in the game.
While pretty much every so called expert in football is predicting that the New England Patriots will win as a result of their superior offensive options and stronger defense, this demonstrates an ignorance of one of the most important lessons in all footballing codes.
I’m talking about the impact of Jonny Wilkinson on the sport of rugby union. Of all the codes of football around the world, rugby is the one that shares the most in common with American football. Jonny Wilkinson is a player who has made his name in world rugby as a specialist kicker, capable of making drop-kick field goals from well over halfway. Jonny has already led England to one World Cup victory and is on his way to a second. (Here’s a bonus clip of Jonny and soccer superstar David Beckham kicking a few balls of different shapes)
The lesson here (if Dallas want to learn it) is that field position and kicking can win big football games. With a kicker capable of making not one, but two 53 yard field goals under real pressure, Dallas can choose to win this game with the boot and there is little that the Patriots can do about that. I just hope that Wade Phillips has paid attention in class and learned this lesson.
Posted in Analysis, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Game, NFL, NFL Coaches, NFL Franchises/Teams, NFL Players, New England Patriots, Nick Folk, Tony Romo, Wade Phillips |
October 13th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Are you insane? There’s no way the Cowboys will win. The Patriots defense is too good, and there’s no way fans in Dallas would let Wade Phillips get away with only kicking field goals from halfway!
October 13th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Wolton, I stand by my comments. If Dallas play smart all they need to do is get field position and kick goals. It’s an important aspect of the game, fundamental really. And all too often it’s ignored in favour of the bigger, flashier aspects of the game in relation to big passing plays, trick plays etc. The simple truth is that in a league where every team is trying to demonstrate how smart, special and super good it is, there’s room for a team to demonstrate that it KNOWS HOW TO PLAY FUNDAMENTALS FOOTBALL.